Unlike most musicians, Sealion bassist Sam Villavert wakes up at 4:30 a.m. “It’s a ridiculous hour,” Villavert says, “but it helps jumpstart my morning and puts me in a healthier mental state.” For Villavert, 26, exercise is indispensable. Usually, she works out before her 8 a.m. arrival at Nature’s Plate,…
It’s three months away, and anticipation is building for the sixth annual JMBLYA, which is expanding to Houston this year. ScoreMore Shows just released the locations for each date of the hip-hop and EDM festival — which stops in Dallas and Austin first — as well as the majority of…
Former DJ and morning show host Jerry Lentz loved what he did for a living. Lentz, who died at age 54 on Jan. 27, was one of the first on-air personalities for the now-defunct station The Edge KDGE-FM, and he made the job look easy. “He was extremely devoted to the…
This week offers up local singer-songwriters and several national touring acts. The only problem is having to choose between them all. Catch Sleigh Bells as they kick off the week with a powerful show at Granada Theater on Tuesday night, followed by Alejandro Escovedo; Tyler, the Creator; Lana Del Ray…
We’re one month into 2018 and the concert calendar continues to fill up. There’s good stuff ahead, including a pretty cool alt-rock/metal pairing, a classic blues double-bill, and a visit from the Vampire Weekend mastermind. Also, a local favorite hits a big stage and a couple international acts make rare…
Most DJs go through phases as their musical palette evolves, and Shawn Kasal’s DJ journey has brought him to his current alias, Mala Strana, under which he recently signed to local label Audiophile. It reflects the new, deep techno sound Kasal is channeling behind the decks and in his production…
On a nondescript cul-de-sac off of Haskell Avenue, across from the Cityplace Target, sits an even more nondescript building. Some of the biggest names in Dallas music have recorded here. Jeff Saenz started Modern Electric Sound Recorders almost six years ago. Beau Bedford of the Texas Gentlemen joined him soon…
If you have purchased tickets to a show in Dallas lately, you may have noticed a new payment option: Bravo. Some local venues, such as Three Links, are partnering with the service online. Bravo allows users to pay for goods and services without sharing personal information and without any fees…
Top Ten Records in Oak Cliff will host a special event tonight featuring electronic music pioneer Gil Trythall and Dallas avant-pop composer Lily Taylor. The late-’60s and early-’70s saw the release of a series of albums composed on a Moog synthesizer. Inspired by Wendy Carlos’ synth masterpiece Switched-On Bach in…
Six Shooter is a recurring feature in which we highlight six new releases by North Texas-based musicians. T.Y.E. — “Playground” & All About Money T.Y.E. is not only one of Dallas’ premiere rappers, but he’s also one of its most prolific. Last year, the Oak Cliff rapper released two full-length…
Declan McKenna plays Trees on Friday. When he was just 16, Declan McKenna made a name for himself in 2015 with “Brazil,” a single he self-released on his YouTube channel. It’s a catchy tune that criticizes FIFA for hosting the World Cup in a poverty-ridden country. McKenna hopped on the…
There was a feeling of history being made Saturday night in the stagnant, sticky air of the basement at J&J’s Pizza. Minor Threat performed its first show in a basement, and other punk acts, such as Hüsker Dü, Black Flag and Social Distortion, all got their start in basements. In Denton…
Wesley Jensen hasn’t lived in North Texas long, but his time here has been vital to fulfilling his creative potential. The longtime musician packed up his life and family and made a somewhat impulsive decision to relocate from Northern California to Denton in late 2015. “When I was over there,…
Ron Campbell may not be a household name, but he certainly brought many of them to life. Campbell had a hand in animating Scooby Doo, Rugrats, The Flintstones, The Smurfs, The Jetsons, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Winnie the Pooh, as well the Beatles’ television series and Yellow Submarine. Now, the 78-year-old…
Texas music comes in all shapes and sizes, but underlying all the best songs from our state is a sense of fierce independence. Texans have launched entire genres and have helped to shape many others, including Latin music, punk rock, country, hip-hop and even techno. With the help of local…
Apropos to its suburban location, the Killers concert at Toyota Music Factory on Saturday was a family affair. Whether it was the children in attendance or the fact that lead singer Brandon Flowers is Mormon, the show felt like a PG-rated, family friendly rock concert. Some of the kids in…
It’s a pretty impressive week of music to round out the month whether you’re in the mood for an over-the-top crooner with a longer than 50-year career or you’re itching to find a new local favorite (for free) in Deep Ellum. If you’re bummed that Say Anything’s Max Bemis had…
Do you consider yourself a Renaissance man or woman? Are you a little bit country, a little bit rock and roll, with some hip hop, EDM, pop and classical tossed into the mix? Do thoughts of Dallas music, books, theater, art, TV, film, freaks (we mean that in a good…
In its inaugural year, attendance for Fort Worth’s Fortress Festival was so-so, despite a killer lineup. It drew the largest numbers for hip-hop headliner Run the Jewels, so it makes sense that for its second lineup, revealed today, the festival is doubling down on the genre. Nostalgic ’90s hip-hop acts…
Lots of goodness is coming our way with this week’s installment of concert announcements. Kendrick Lamar, Elton John, Slayer, and Belle and Sebastian are just a few of the big names rolling through town. Elsewhere, a couple of cool shows work their way to Irving, the Granada Theater gets some…
Just about the time we start missing the State Fair of Texas, its music festival sibling, the Old 97’s County Fair, comes along. This week, the festival announced the lineup for its third event, which returns to Main Street Garden Park on April 14. In addition to the usual cotton…
Dallas native JT Donaldson has spent the past two decades making a name for himself as a top-notch house DJ and producer. After years of traveling, in 2011, he returned to Dallas, where he’s worked closely with Josey Records and started his own record label. New Math Records has house…
